take an overview

USAGE SUMMARY

"take an overview" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase usually means to look at the big picture and gain an understanding of the entire situation. For example, "Before making any decisions, I needed to take an overview of the entire situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"You have to take an overview.

The Guardian

A new policy framework is needed to take an overview of the whole food system.

The Guardian

Speaking to the audience, Mr. Bermel said that we were enough into the new century to take an overview.

The New York Times - Arts

Writers, actors, designers and directors all cut their teeth in that environment … we need to take an overview of the cultural body politic".

The Guardian

A debt adviser will take an overview of your problems and work with you and your creditors to put a realistic repayment plan in place.

The Guardian - Money

"We will also introduce clinical senates where groups of doctors and healthcare professionals come together to take an overview of the integration of care across a wide area.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Mr. Moore, taking an overview, said: "I don't see this group as having any boundaries.

The New York Times

This article takes an overview of the field, highlighting key developments along these lines.

Journal of Fluorine Chemistry

When we last took an overview of the Senate in December, I gave Republicans a 15 percent chance of losing Ms. Snowe's seat.

The New York Times

This review is taking an overview of the increasing investments in nanotechnology, designing, synthesis and characterization of nanostructures and their in vitro and in vivo toxicities.

Arabian Journal of Chemistry

Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist for IHS Global Insight, said: "Taking an overview of the various surveys, we expect house prices to rise by around 6 to 7% in 2016".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In complex projects, always "take an overview" of all interconnected parts to anticipate problems or dependencies.

Common error

Avoid using "take an overview" when you mean to supervise or oversee. "Overview" means to gain a comprehensive understanding, while "oversight" means to supervise or manage. For example, don't say 'I will take an overview of the project' if you mean 'I will oversee the project'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take an overview" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of comprehensively examining and understanding a subject or situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, confirming its active role in expressing a deliberate cognitive process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take an overview" is a versatile verb phrase signifying the act of gaining a comprehensive understanding of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent use across varied contexts, including news, science, and wiki sources. While applicable in both formal and informal settings, it is crucial to differentiate its meaning from 'oversight', which implies supervision. To expand your lexicon, alternatives such as ""gain a comprehensive perspective"" or ""see the forest for the trees"" offer nuanced ways to express the same core idea, with the same validity and meaning. As such, using it correctly is essential for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get the big picture

Emphasizes understanding the overall situation rather than specific details.

see the forest for the trees

Highlights the importance of not getting lost in details and missing the main point.

gain a comprehensive perspective

Focuses on acquiring a complete and thorough understanding.

obtain a holistic view

Stresses the importance of considering all aspects of a situation.

assess the overall situation

Highlights the act of evaluating the complete context.

look at the broader context

Focuses on considering the larger environment or circumstances.

survey the landscape

Uses a visual metaphor to describe understanding the scope of something.

review the situation as a whole

Emphasizes the act of examining the entire scenario.

consider the entire scope

Focuses on encompassing all aspects within one's assessment.

develop a broad understanding

Highlights the process of forming a general comprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "take an overview" in a sentence?

You can use "take an overview" when you want to express the act of gaining a comprehensive understanding of a situation. For example, "Before making a decision, it's important to "get the big picture" and consider all the factors involved."

What is a good alternative to "take an overview"?

Alternatives to "take an overview" include phrases like "gain a comprehensive perspective", "obtain a holistic view", or "assess the overall situation".

What does it mean to "take an overview" of something?

To "take an overview" of something means to look at the whole picture and understand all of its aspects, rather than focusing on individual details. It's about gaining a general understanding of the entire context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "take an overview"?

The phrase "take an overview" is appropriate in any situation where you need to understand the complete picture. This can include project management, strategic planning, problem-solving, or when analyzing data. Essentially, it's useful whenever you need to "see the forest for the trees".